The Anomaly Beyond The System

Chapter 36: Pope and Church

Six months had passed.

Seraphina had started to close up to both of them.

At the beginning, she had been distant, polite, and reserved. As if she were a guest in her own house.

Even when she smiled, there had been hesitation in it, like she was afraid the moment would be shattered if she embraced it too tightly.

But slowly, day by day, her walls started to crack.

She started to talk more, smile more, and sometimes she would even laugh—though that moment was rare to see.

She would sometimes initiate small conversations.

Sometimes she would even scold Lucian if he didn't eat properly, or if he worked himself too much.

Her health and complexion had improved steadily. The hollowness in her cheeks had begun to fill up.

Her hands no longer looked like twigs.

As for Lia…

Lucian had begun to notice something strange about her behaviour.

At first, he thought it was because of Elijah.

After all, that man had clearly done something—especially judging by the murderous glare he had thrown that day.

Lucian confronted Lia about it, and after some hesitation, she told him everything that had happened—how Elijah had threatened her.

But the issue had already been resolved.

One of Lia's friends had recorded the entire incident.

After the video went viral on social media, Elijah's reputation plummeted, while Lia became unexpectedly popular in her college.

So, aside from that incident, Lucian couldn't understand why Lia was still acting differently.

It was as if she were becoming more sensitive—more reactive, and more violent with each passing day.

She picked fights easily, snapped at people for no reason, and sometimes even cursed at strangers when they stared at her strangely…

Well, that last part was at least understandable.

***

Lucian stood in front of a church.

The building was tall and elegant. White shone walls, arched windows, and a towering cross at the top.

The place was nearly two hours away from his house.

He wasn't here to pray.𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

No.

He wasn't religious.

Not even a bit.

It wasn't that he denied the existence of God—he simply didn't care. Gods, even if they existed, had done nothing to earn his devotion.

He hadn't come here of his own will either.

This had been Stella's idea.

They hadn't met in a long while, and Stella was rarely allowed to go outside without supervision due to her status.

As for when she first met him?

Well, she had run away from her house because she was bored.

The boredom that would've almost killed her if not for him.

Then why did she want to meet him here, of all places?

He had absolutely no idea.

As he spotted her approaching, accompanied by Julia—her ever-present maid and bodyguard—a smile tugged at his lips.

Stella waved enthusiastically the moment she saw him.

"Long time no see," Stella said with a bright smile.

"We met just a month ago," Lucian replied.

"So? That's still a long time."

"Miss, please don't forget that I am here too." Julia's voice sounded from behind her.

"I know," Stella said cheerfully as she held Lucian's arm.

"I'm just excited to meet my best friend after such a long time."

Lucian smiled, but—

"Miss," Julia said sternly,

"People are watching. Please be mindful of your behaviour in public."

Stella stiffened.

She had an image to maintain—even if most people didn't know who she truly was.

Understanding that, Stella reluctantly let go of Lucian's arm, pouting faintly.

Seeing her expression, both Lucian and Julia chuckled.

"So…" Lucian asked as they started walking toward the church's entrance,

"Why are we here?"

'Why a church, of all places? Does Stella want to pray here or something?'

"Well…"

Stella hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I came here to pray for my mother."

Stella's mother had been a religious woman.

She believed deeply in God—believed in prayer, miracles, and forgiveness. She used to visit this church whenever she could.

"Oh."

Lucian nodded quietly, not asking any further questions.

As he stepped past the entrance, he paused for a brief moment.

'Hm?'

He didn't know why, but he felt something… strange.

It was hard to describe, but he felt a sort of peace in here, a quietness.

He shook his head, dismissing it as imagination—but still asked Akasha about it.

She simply said she didn't know.

Looking around, Lucian admired the interior.

He had never entered a church before.

The white walls stretched upward into high ceilings.

Stained-glass windows cast soft, colored light across the hall.

At the front stood a podium, a large cross behind it, and rows of wooden benches aligned neatly below.

"This place is beautiful." He muttered softly, looking around.

Both Stella and Julia looked at him in surprise.

"You've never been to a church before?" Stella asked.

Lucian shook his head, slightly embarrassed.

"Our family never went to churches or any religious places."

Even when they traveled or went on picnics, such places were never on the list.

"I guess we just weren't religious."

Stella studied him for a moment.

"Are you against religion?"

A voice came from behind, startling them.

Turning, they looked at the man, who looked to be in his 30s, with blonde hair and brown eyes. Nearly 190 cm tall and had a strikingly handsome face.

He wore a long white robe with a silver chain and cross hanging from his neck.

The Pope of the church.

Even Lucian had to admit—the man was handsome.

Perhaps even more so than himself.

"Son," the pope asked gently,

"Are you against religion?"

His voice was deep and calm, carrying a fatherly warmth.

Lucian stared at him for a moment.

There was something about the man that felt… odd.

He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Still, he answered honestly.

"I'm not against religion," Lucian said.

"I just don't believe in God. And even if they exist, then…"

'They're useless. They couldn't even protect us from the apocalypse.'

He didn't finish his sentence.

But the pope understood.

"You've lived a difficult life," the pope said, smiling as he patted Lucian's shoulder.

"God gave humanity free will, child. He does not interfere because of that."

Lucian didn't respond, but didn't argue either.

Seeing the doubt in Lucian's eyes, the pope merely shook his head.

He then turned toward Stella and Julia—his gaze lingering on Stella slightly longer.

"Are you here to pray?"

Stella nodded nervously.

She had been worried about how he would react to Lucian's words.

But seeing that he wasn't angry, she relaxed.

Soon after, the pope excused himself.

Stella and Julia moved to the front and began praying.

Lucian stood quietly behind them, wondering what Stella was praying about.

***

As they left the church, the pope stood outside, watching them depart.

The smile on his face vanished.

His expression hardened.

He turned back inside and walked toward his office.

Pulling out his phone, he made a call.

After some time, a man dressed in a black robe entered.

"Find out everything about the people who just left," the pope ordered.

The man nodded and disappeared.

The pope sat back in his chair and closed his eyes.

An hour later, the man returned.

"Your Holiness, I've gathered information on them."

The pope opened his eyes.

"Speak."

"The woman with golden hair is Stella Lorien, daughter of Alaric Lorien and Celestine Lorien. Her family possesses an A-rank—"

"Stop," the pope interrupted.

"Is there anything special about her parents?"

The man thought for a while.

"No, Your Holiness. Her father was born wealthy. Her mother was an orphan who struggled her entire life just to survive. She worked part-time jobs and eventually caught the eye of the man who—"

"Enough," the pope said, irritation flickering across his face.

"There's nothing useful there."

"Your Holiness," the man—Jonathan, hesitated,

"May I ask something?"

The pope—Alexander—nodded.

"Why are you so interested in them?"

Alexander paused.

"It isn't them that I am interested in. It's the girl. She most probably has a light affinity."

Jonathan's eyes widened.

"Should I—"

"No," Alexander interrupted.

"There's something else too. The feeling she gave me… it's the same one I felt when I was blessed."

Jonathan's breath hitched.

"C-could it be…?"

"I don't know," Alexander replied with a faint smile.

"Just keep an eye on her. Protect her if she's ever in danger.

You are dismissed."

Jonathan didn't move.

Seeing that, Alexander frowned.

"What is it? Is there something else?"

"There's one more thing," Jonathan said quietly.

"The boy who was with her… I found his information as well."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"Is there something special about him?"

To Alexander, he had seemed like an ordinary human.

Jonathan took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly.

"Yes. He is Lucian Foster— the stepson of the vampire we captured,

Seren Scarlett."